Low = under 8 inches, Medium = 8 inches to 30 inches, Tall = over 30 inches
Low Spring Perennials
Scientific name USDA Zone Height X Width Description
Common name Water Exposure
Ajuga reptans 3 5" X 12" Evergreen. Blue flowers. Green
Carpet Bugle Med. Sun-Part bronze purple or varieg. leaves.
Anemone blanda 4 4" X 6" Bulb. Single blue, pink or white
Windflower Low Part Sun flower in March.
Anemone pulsatilla 5 1' x 1' Low mound of featherly leaves.
Pasque Flower Med. Sun-Part Violet flowers in spring.
Arabis caucasica 3 4" X 1' White flowers on fleshy leaves in
Rock Cress Med. Sun March to April. Good rock garden.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 2 8" X 4' Native evergreen. Pink flowers.
Kinnikinnick Low Sun-Part Red berries. Good groundcover.
Arenaria montana 3 4" X 18" Low mound of white flowers from
Montana Sandwort Med. Sun-Part March to April. Likes lime.
Armeria maritima 4 10" X 1' Native evergreen. Mound of leaves.
Sea Thrift Med. Sun-Part Pink or white flowers April-June.
Asarum caudatum 4 4" X 2' Native. Large, heart shaped leaves
Wild Ginger High Shade-Part hide brown flowers early Spring.
Asarum species 4 6" X 18" Groundcover. Glossy leaves hide
Wild Ginger High Shade-Part small red flowers.
Aubrieta deltoidea 4 5" X 15" Low mat of red to blue flowers in
Rock Cress Med. Sun-Part March to May. Good in rock walls.
Aurinia saxatilis 4 10" X 1' Evergreen. Green gray leaves with
Basket Of Gold Med. Sun-Part yellow flowers from April-June.
Bellis perennis, 4 5" X 6" Red, rose, and white flowers in
English Daisy Med. Sun-Part April and May. Good in lawns.
Bergenia cordifolia 3 15" X 2' Evergreen. Large heart shaped
Heartleaf Bergenia Med. Sun-Part leaves. Pink flowers in Spring.
Calceolaria biflora 6 12" X 8" Evergreen. Pouch-like flowers of
Pocketbook Flower Med. Shade-Part yellow and red in May and June.
Ceanothus gloriosus 7 15" X 3' Evergreen. Blue flowers in late
Point Reyes Ceanothus Low Sun spring. Good groundcover.
Convallaria majalis 3 6" X 15" Small fragrant bell-shaped white
Lily-of-the-Valley Med. Shade-Part flowers in May. Poisonous.
Cornus canadensis, 1 3" X 2' Semi-evergreen. White flowers in
Bunchberry Med. Sun-Shade spring. Red berries in fall.
Cotoneaster dammeri 1 5" X 6' Evergreen. White flowers in
Bearberry Cotoneaster Low Sun-Shade spring. Orange berries in fall.
Cotula squalida 4 2" X 1' Evergreen. Button flowers in May-
Brass Buttons Med. Part Sun June. Fern-like foliage creeps.
Crocus vernus 3 4" X 4" Bulb. White, pink, blue, or purple
Dutch Crocus Low Sun-Part flowers in February to March.
Dicentra formosa 3 15" X 18" Native. Dark fern-like leaves.
Western Bleeding Heart Low Shade-Part Light pink flowers April to June.
Epimedium grandiflorum 4 1' X 3' Evergreen. Red white pink or
Bishop's Hat Med. Part Shade violet flowers. Bronze leaves.
Fragaria 'Lipstick' 4 4" X 24" Evergreen groundcover. Large, rose
Lipstick Strawberry Med. Sun-Part colored flowers in Spring.
Fragaria chiloensis 4 6" X 1' Native evergreen groundcover. White
Wild Strawberry Med. Sun-Part flowers in spring. Red berries.
Freesia species 3 15" X 1' Bulb. Fragrant flowers in many
Freesia Med. Sun-Part colors in May. Good cut flower.
Galanthus nivalis 3 8" X 8" Bulb. Dainty white bells in Feb. to
Snowdrop Med. Shade-Part March. Naturalizes under trees.
Galium odoratum 4 8" X 2' Small white flowers on dense mat
Sweet Woodruff Med. Shade of green from May to August.
Gaultheria procumbens 3 6" X 18" Native evergreen. Pink bell flowers
Wintergreen Med. Sun-Shade in spring. Red edible berries.
Heuchera sanguinea 4 15" X 18" Evergreen. Tall stalks of dainty
Coral Bells Med. Sun-Part coral flowers in April-August.
Heucherella tiarelloides 4 1' X 2' Hybrids between Heuchera and Tia-
Foam Flower Med. Part shade rella. Colorful foliage.
Hyacinthus orientalis 4 8" X 6" bulb. Very fragrant spikes of blue,
Hyacinth Low Sun-Shade white, or purple in April to May.
Iberis sempervirens 4 8" X 1' Evergreen. White flowers in April
Candytuft Low Sun cover low mound of small leaves.
Iris "Dutch Hybrid" 5 8" X 5" Bulb. Slender stalks topped by iris
Dutch Iris Med. Sun-Part flower in many colors in April.
Iris tenax 5 15" X 18" Native. Purple flowers with yellow
Oregon iris Low Sun-Part or white. Drought tolerant.
Leontipodium alpinum 3 6" X 8" White woolly leaves. Flowers and
Edelweis Med. Sun-Part floral leaves in May to July.
Leucojum vernum 6" X 6" Bulb. Clusters of white bells in
Snowflake Med. Shade March. Naturalizes under trees.
Lewisia cotyledon 4 10" X 5" Evergreen. Pink to orange flowers
Lewisia Low Sun-Part in May-Aug. above rosette leaves.
Lithodora diffusa 5 5" X 3' Evergreen. Brilliant blue flowers
Lithospermum Med. Sun-Part May to July. Likes good drainage.
Muscari armeniacum 4 6" X 6" Bulb. Bright blue flowers on 6"
Grape Hyacinth Low Sun-Part spikes in March and April.
Myosotis sylvatica 3 8" X 8" Blue, pink, or white flowers May to
Forget-Me-Not Med. Sun-Shade September. Spreads easily.
Oxalis oregana 3 7" X 30" Native. Excellent groundcover for
Wood sorrel Med. Shade-Part shade. White flowers April-June.
Pachysandra terminalis 5 8" X 1' Evergreen. White flower spikes.
Japanese Spurge High Shade-Part Dark green leaves. Groundcover.
Papaver nudicaule 2 14" X 10" 3-4" flowers in many colors from
Iceland Poppy Low Sun-Part April to September. Good cut.
Phlox subulata 3 4" X 1' Evergreen. Dense mat of color in
Creeping Phlox Med. Sun May-June. Needs good drainage.
Ranunculus asiaticus 4 15" X 1' Large yellow, orange, red, pink, or
Persian Ranunculus Med. Sun white flowers in April to June.
Rhodohypoxis baurii 4 4" X 4" Mass of rose red flowers in spring
Rhodohypoxis Med. Sun and summer. Good rock garden.
Sagina sublata 4 2" X 1' Dense mat of dark green with small
Irish Moss Med. Sun-Part white flowers in spring.
Sagina sublata 'Aurea' 4 2" X 1' Dense mat of light green with small
Scotch Moss Med. Sun-Part white flowers in spring.
Saponaria species 3 1' X 3' Dark, oval leaves with pink flowers
Soapwort Low Sun in spring. Good groundcover.
Saxifraga species 4 1' X 18" Small white star-like flowers with
Rockfoil Med. Shade-Part a reddish tinge in April-June.
Scilla campanulata 4 15" X 12" Bulb. Spikes of blue, white or pink
Wood Hyacinth Med. Sun-Part flowers in May. Easy to grow.
Silene species 5 12" X 15" Groundcover. Magenta to cream flow-
Moss Campion Med. Sun-Part ers in spring.
Sisyrinchium angustifolium 3 1' X 1' Green or bluish leaves. Purple &
Blue-eyed Grass Med. Sun yellow flowers in May to June.
Sisyrinchium idahoensis 2 12" X 12" Native. Thin, grass-like leaves.
Idaho Blue-eyed Grass Low Sun Purple flowers on tip of stalk.
Tiarella cordifolia 4 8" X 2' Fast spreading groundcovers. White
Foamflower High Shade-Part to pink flowers.
Trillium species 4 1' X 6" Native. Three leaves with white
Trillium High Shade-Part flowers aging to pink in March.
Tulilpa species 4 6-24" X 8" Bulb. Many colors of flowers in
Tulip Med. Sun-Part March to May. Needs good drainage
Verbena hyb. 'Homestead Purple' 6 10" X 3' Evergreen. Purple flowers spring to
Homestead Purple Verbena Med. Sun fall. Good groundcover.
Vinca minor 4 1' X 3' Evergreen. Blue, white or purple
Periwinkle Med. Sun-Shade flowers in spring and summer.
Viola glabella 6 8" X 8" Native. Small heart-shaped flowers.
Yellow Wood Violet Med. Shade-Part Small yellow flowers in spring.
Viola odorata 6 6" X 1' Dark purple flowers and a lovely
Sweet Violet Med. Sun-Shade fragrance in February to April.
Waldestenia fragarioides 2 3" X 8" Evergreen. Strawberry-like plant.
Barren Strawberry Med. Sun-Part Yellow flowers in spring.
Medium Spring Perennials
Scientific name USDA Zone Height X Width Description
Common name Water Exposure
Anemone coronaria 6 2' X 15" Bulb. Red, blue, purple or white
Wind Flower Med. Part shade flowers May and June. Good cut.
Aquilegia species 3 2' X 18" Red white or blue flowers in May.
Columbine Med. Sun-Shade Attracts hummingbirds/butterflies
Brunnera macrophylla 5 15" X 1' Airy clusters of blue flowers above
Siberian Bugloss High Part Shade heart shaped leaves in March-June
Camassia quamash 6 18" X 12" Native bulb. Blue flowers in
Common Camas High Sun Spring.
Chrysanthemum coccinneum 4 30" X 2' Finely divided leaves. Pink, red,
Painted Daisy Med. Sun or white flowers in May.
Dianthus species 4 1-3' X 1' Low mound or tall cut flower in
Carnation or Pinks Med. Sun-Part pink, red and white May to July.
Dicentra formosa 3 30" X 3' Native. Dainty pink or white
Bleeding Heart Med. Shade-Part flowers in April to June.
Doronicum cordatum 4 18" X 12" Low mound. Yellow daisy flowers on
Leopard's Bane Med. Part Shade tall stems April-June. Good cut.
Endymion non-scriptus (Scilla) 4 15" X 12" Bulb. Spikes of blue white or pink
Wood Hyacinth Med. Sun-Part flowers in May. Easy to grow.
Euphorbia species 6 2' X 2' Green to purple leaves. Chartreuse
Spurge Low Sun to burgandy flowers.
Fern, Dryopteris erythrosora 6 18" X 18" Evergreen. New fronds are coppery
Autumn Fern Low Shade-Part red, mature to green.
Fritillaria species 5 2-4' X 1' Bulb. Unusual flowers of orange,
Fritillaria Med. Sun-Part yellow or checkered purple/white.
Gaultheria shallon 6 2' X 3' Native evergreen. Pink bell flowers
Salal Med. Sun-Shade om spring. Black edible berries.
Helleborus orientalis 4 18" X 1' Leathery dark green leaves. White,
Lenten Rose High Shade-Part pink, red, yellow, green flowers.
Heuchera sanguinea 3 2' X 18" Evergreen. Tall stalks of dainty
Coral Bells Med. Sun-Part coral flowers in April-August.
Libertia peregrinans 7 18" x 18" Narrow leaves are bright orange on
New Zealand Iris Med. Sun-Shade the edges. White flowers Spring.
Ligularia tussilaginea (Farfugiu 8 2' X 2' Thick leaves with yellow spots.
Leopard Plant Med. Sun-Part Yellow flowers. Good indoors.
Lychnis coronaria 6 2' X 18" Silky white foliage. Magenta to
Rose campion Low Sun-Part crimson flowers from May to July.
Mazus reptans 5 2' X 18" Evergreen groundcover. Blue flowers
Mazus Med. Sun-Part in spring. Moist well drained.
Mertensia virginica 3 20" X 1' Native. Pink turning to blue petti-
Virginia Bluebells Med. Shade-Part coat flowers in April and May.
Narcissus species 4 2' X 1' Bulb. Yellow, orange, or white flo-
Daffodils Low Sun-Part wers in March to April. Easy.
Paeonia lactiflora 4 2' X 2' Ever popular plant in many colors
Bush Peony Med. Sun-Part in May. Good cut flowers.
Polygonatum biflorum 3 30" X 2' Pairs of greenish white flowers on
Solomon's Seal Med. Shade-Part arching stems. Blue-black berries
Rosmarinus officinalis 8 2' X 5' Aromatic leaves with blue flowers
Rosemary Low Sun in spring. Needs good drainage.
Trollius species 3 2' X 2' Deciduous. Gold or yellow flowers
Globeflower High Sun-Part May-June.
Zantedeschia species 2 2' X 2' White, yellow or pink flowers in
Calla Lily High Sun-Part May.
Tall Spring Perennials
Scientific name USDA Zone Height X Width Description
Common name Water Exposure
Aster frikartii 5 3' X 2' Large lavender blue daisies from
Frikart's Aster Med. Sun May to frost if deadheaded.
Delphinium hybrids 3 3-6' X 2' Tall spikes of blue, lavender, or
Larkspur Med. Sun white in June. Good cut.
Dierama pulcherrimum 7 5' X 5' Sword-like leaves. Purple to white
Wand Flower High Sun bell-shaped flowers May-June.
Digitalis purpurea 4 4' X 1' Spike of white to pink spotted
Pink Foxglove Med. Part shade flowers. Leaves are poisonous.
Euryops pectinatus 8 5' X 3' Bright yellow daisy-like flowers
Golden Shrub Daisy Low Sun March-October. Needs protection.
Hesperis matronalis 5 3' X 2' Old fashioned plant. Fragrant lav-
Dame's Rocket Med. Sun-Part ender or pink flowers May-June.
Incarvillea delavayi 5 3' X 2' Clusters of 3" long purple trumpet
Hardy Gloxinia Med. Sun-Part inMay-July.
Iris ensata 4 3' X 2' Large white, lavender, purple or
Japanese Iris High Sun-Part blue flowers in May. Wet or dry.
Iris hybrids 4 3' X 2' Many sizes and colors of flowers in
Bearded Iris Med. Sun May and June.
Iris sibirica 3 3' X 2' White, yellow, lavender, purple or
Siberian Iris High Sun-Part blue flowers in May. Wet or dry.
Paeonia suffruticosa 6 5' X 5' Large flowers up to 1' across in
Tree Peony Med. Sun-Part many colors in May. Some double.
Rheum palmatum 3 4' X 3' Deciduous. Green, bronze & dark red
Ornamental Rhubarb High Sun-Part leaves. Red flower stalks in May.
Rodgersia aesculifolia 5 5' X 3' Creamy white flowers late spring to
Rodger's Flower High Shade-Part early summer. Huge fingered leaf.
Smilacina racemosa 3 3' X 1' Tall plumes of fuzzy white flowers.
False Solomon's Seal High Shade-Part Red & white speckled fruit.
Thalictrum species 5 3' X 2' Airy plants with fuzzy flowers in
Meadow Rue High Sun-Part white, pink or purple.
